Circulation Transaction File Messages

Messages in the Circulation Transactions Messages file can be divided into three categories:

Informational Messages: Transaction Denied

When one of the following messages appears in the Circulation Transactions Messages file, the attempted checkin, checkout, or renewal has been denied for the reason specified. To remedy the situation, follow the instructions listed with each message. You should not need to call Innovative.

Message Explanation Instructions for Action
illegal barcode Barcode does not conform to standard barcode pattern (see Barcodes: Overview for a description of the standard barcode). Barcode validity checking is done only if your library has it set up. Locate the correct barcode and do the checkout or checkin manually.
no item/patron record found with tagfield <barcode> The entered barcode could not be found in the database. Find the correct barcode and do the checkout or checkin manually.
multiple item/patron records found with tagfield <barcode> The entered barcode occurs in more than one record. Find the correct record and do the checkout or checkin manually.
item is not checked out, checkin ignored The item has not been checked out, and therefore the system ignores the checkin. This situation may arise when the checkin and checkout transactions for an item are processed out of order or when there are multiple, successive checkins and checkouts for the same patron/item combination. Ensure that the item record is not checked out or that the date and time in the OUT DATE field in the item record is later than the current transaction time.
item is checked out. This checkout denied The item has already been checked out, therefore the system ignores the checkout. This situation may arise when the checkin and checkout transactions for an item are processed out of order or when there are multiple, successive checkins and checkouts for the same patron/item combination. Check the PATRON# field in the item record for the record number of the patron to whom the item is currently checked out; the patron record number in the PATRON# field probably does not match the patron listed in the display of error/informational messages. If this is the case, manually check the item in, and then check it out to the patron listed in the informational message.
LCHKIN in item is greater than checkin time in file; checkin ignored The item has been checked in since the checkin transaction was recorded. For example, the PC-Circ checkin transaction occurred at 10:00AM, but the item was checked in again at 1:00PM with no intervening checkouts. Verify that the item record is not checked out.
OUT DATE in item greater than checkin time in file; checkin ignored The item has been checked out since the checkin transaction was recorded. For example, the PC-Circ checkin transaction occurred at 10:00AM, but the OUT DATE in the item record indicates that the item was checked out to that patron at 1:00PM. The transactions may have been processed out of order. You do not need to take any action.
Invalid checked out time in file; checkout ignored
This message can occur in a number of possible situations:
  • The checkout transaction in the file is earlier than the LCHKIN time in the item record.
  • The checkout transaction in the file is earlier than the OUT DATE time in the item record.
  • The due date in the transaction file is earlier than the LCHKIN time in the item record.
  • The due date in the transaction file is earlier than the OUT DATE time in the item record.
These situations may arise when the checkin and checkout transactions for an item are processed out of order or when there are multiple, successive checkins and checkouts for the same patron/item combination. This message may also occur if the portable barcode reader or PC has the incorrect time.
 Check the system time on the PC or portable barcode reader. Check the STATUS field in the item record. Determine whether or not you need to check the item in or do the checkout manually.
failed to determine loan rule The Loan Rule Determiner table contains no entry matching the patron and item records. Add an entry to the Loan Rule Determiner table to cover this patron and item combination. Add a wildcard entry to the top of the Loan Rule Determiner table that will match all patrons and all items if not matched by another rule. See Loan Rule Determiner Table.
unable to locate patron block information The P TYPE from the patron record does not exist in the patron blocks file. Add an entry to the Patron Blocks table for the specified P TYPE. Do the checkout manually.
expected <type>; found <type A barcode entered for an item ('i') or patron ('p') turned out to be associated with a different record type. Find the correct record type and do the checkin or checkout manually.
Patron <barcode1> has INN-Reach item .<item record number>@<agency code> with barcode <barcode>. Item was requested by patron <barcode2>. Cannot check out item. The patron with <barcode2> requested this INN-Reach item, but the item was checked out offline to a nonrequesting patron (the patron with <barcode1>). Either recall the item from the nonrequesting patron or remove the item from the requesting patron's record and check the item out to the patron in possession of the item.
     

Informational Messages: Transaction Not Denied

When one of the following messages appears in the Circulation Transactions Messages file, the attempted check-in, check-out, or renewal has not been denied. You do not need to call Innovative if you get any of these messages.

put item on hold shelf for <patron>

item is on hold for <patron>

item is 'missing' and has been cleared

item is IN TRANSIT and has been cleared

item is billed and has been cleared

Item <barcode or item record number> has been placed on the holdshelf at <location> for <patron>

Item has a hold to be picked up at the specified location.

item belongs at location <location>. Checking in anyway

item is for Library Use Only. Checking out anyway

Item has HOLD to be picked up at <location>. Checking in anyway

Item has a hold to be picked up at another location.

Record is recently checked out/in

There are consecutive check-outs or check-ins recorded for the same item.

item has status <status>. Checking out/in anyway

Internal Error Messages

Follow the steps listed with each message. If you are unable to correct the error, contact Innovative.

unable to check in item at this time

Patron record is deleted or does not exist.

unable to load -- <reason>

<reason> is one of the following:

unexpected end of line

Open the circ.dat file on your PC, then count down to the line indicated in the error message and verify the error. If the line information is legible, enter the information into the system manually. If this type of error occurs frequently, contact Innovative.

illegal instruction

Call Innovative.

unable to check in item at this time because patron record with hold/booking on item is unavailable: <reason>

<reason> is one of the following: